31 Mommy dearest

I lied about everything and used my extensive knowledge about Austria to answer all her questions.

Since we were little girls, my sisters and I were tutored and educated inside the Palace about the other kingdoms and empires especially in Eastern Europe because of our close closer political associations with them.

Aside from mastering different languages, we were taught about different cultures so it would be easier for us to be married off.

People like us merely marry for love. We marry for political and financial reasons to serve our kingdoms.

" A daughter of an Austrian nobleman.. But still a commoner" The Countess said.

Jose Manuel excused himself to greet a very important business associate on the other table. I was left alone with his mother.

" I see that my son bought you those jewellery that you are wearing today.. My son is a generous boy.. but very naive. He inherited that from my dear mother. My poor mama was too trusting and didn't realised that my papa was just using her money to keep his mistress and illegitimate children happy." She narrated.

" I told myself it will never happen to me.. I will marry a good man.. I found one but my old papa refused to grant a permission for us to be married.. Mama's money was never enough for him and he wanted more so he forced me to marry the very wealthy but commoner father of my son who had this ambition to be an elite member of the aristocracy.. And the next day after our marriage, he disappeared for 2 straight weeks to go hunting with his business clients. No telegram, no letter, not a single note. It went on and on like that until he died from a fishing accident.. I didn't even knew that he was just accross the neighborhood and went fishing with his colleagues because he was gone for 3 months straight that time." The Countess continued.

" I don't know what to say but I'm sorry that you had to endure too much pain." I sincerely said.

" Oh don't be.. I'm the one who has to apologise to you" She replied. I asked why and what was the need for her to ask for an apology..

" Because I don't want to see you with my son. Girls like you have one thing in common.. trouble! My son will marry someone from a higher rank so leave him alone or you'll find yourself regretting it" She warned and she left the table.

Few minutes later, Jose Manuel returned and asked..

" Where is Mama?"